Riverbender 🕸

SEE VIDEO: EDWARDSVILLE - Salon Ludic at 6170 Bennett Drive, in Edwardsville, recently celebrated its first anniversary in business. The Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting celebration for the popular hair salon. Natasha Downs, the owner/stylist of Salon Ludic, said the ribbon cutting was exciting because the salon had been in business for a year and it has been very successful. “We primarily do hair color and extensions,” she said. “We guarantee the best customer service. We love Edwardsville and are excited about growing as a team in our community.” Downs described Salon Ludic as: “A luxury salon that provides each guest with an individualized experience." "Our stylists are trendsetters that possess the knowledge, skills, and experience to meet your specific needs," she concluded. SEE LINK FOR FACEBOOK PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/salonludicedwardsville/

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GODFREY – The RiverBend Growth Association recently helped two of its member businesses celebrate openings that included special ribbon-cutting ceremonies led by RBGA staff and members. Celebrating businesses were the downtown Alton McDonald’s Restaurant location and Joe’s Pizza and Pasta in East Alton. The RBGA led a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 11 at the re-opening of the McDonald’s Restaurant in downtown Alton that also included remarks from Alton Mayor David Goins. This dining location is one of those owned by Dick and Suzi Bold of Bold Enterprises and operating in Alton, Bethalto, Godfrey, Edwardsville and Hamel. The Alton location at 717 E. Broadway re-opened on July 8, just over a year after a fire that started in its roof destroyed the previous structure in June 2021. Total construction costs for the new facility were roughly $2.3 million. Updates were made to the interior design as part of the new construction, most notably the lack of a self-serve

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EAST ST. LOUIS – In response to record rainfall resulting in numerous families being displaced in East St. Louis, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea), State Rep. Latoya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) and State Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) are working with local, state and federal leaders to address public safety concerns and released the following statements: “Flood waters pose a significant threat to a community’s health, safety and property,” said Rep. Hoffman. “Families in East St. Louis are at the forefront of our recovery efforts following last week’s historic rainfall.” “As both a lifelong and proud resident of East St. Louis, I want our citizens to know we are working with Mayor Robert Eastern III, Gov. JB Pritzker and his administration, St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency Director Herb Simmons, as well as Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to get families back into their homes as safely and quickly as possible,”

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WHEATON — Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) today announced $15 million in funding to support tourism sector across Illinois, through the second round of the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program offered by the State. Through the $15 million investment, which is open for applicants beginning today, $5 million will be reserved for festivals, which serve as economic drivers while bringing communities together, and $10 million will support a broad range of other tourism-related project such as attractions, museums, live performance venues and more. This grant is funded using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars. “When the pandemic struck, the tourism industry across the globe lurched to a standstill,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “That’s why, last August, I launched the Tourism Attraction and Festivals Grant program—delivering the support our communities needed to bring back

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ST LOUIS, Mo. — The American Red Cross of Greater St. Louis has two shelters open: St. Vincent Community Center, 7335 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis, MO 63133. Mason Clark Middle School, 5510 State St., East St. Louis , IL 62203 . CLOSED shelter: James Eagan Center, 1 James J Eagan Drive, Florissant, MO The James Eagan Center closed Sunday at 1 p.m. and individuals were taken by bus to the new location at St. Vincent Community Center (address above). The Red Cross provided shelter for 17 people last night impacted by recent flooding in the St. Louis area, all of them at the St. Vincent Community Center. No one stayed at the Mason Clark Middle School last night. Since opening the first shelter in the metro Tuesday night, the Red Cross has provided for a total of 127 overnight stays . Anyone needing a place during the day or overnight may stop in for water, snacks, food and to get information. Items to bring to a shelter include clothing for a few days,

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul co-led a coalition of 20 states in urging the Biden administration to extend and expand temporary changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program to provide borrowers with more opportunities to get closer to loan forgiveness faster. Under the PSLF Program, remaining balances on federal Direct Loans are forgiven after borrowers – dedicated public servants such as teachers, firefighters, nurses and police officers – make 120 qualifying payments while working full time for a qualifying employer. However, due to the PSLF Program’s complexity and poor management, millions of public service workers have been unable to access forgiveness, and the program’s denial rates have been as high as 99%. To restore the promise of PSLF, in October 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced a temporary “ Limited PSLF Waiver , ” which offers millions of qualifying public service workers the chance

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PONTOON BEACH - In an effort to enhance bus service for passengers and to improve efficiencies throughout the system, Madison County Transit (MCT) will be implementing minor adjustments at the regularly scheduled August service change, which takes effect on August 14, 2022. The August service change includes time and routing adjustments to the #1 Riverbend and #15 East Collinsville Shuttle, shifting the routes of the #2 Granite City Shuttle and #4 Madison-Edwardsville, and adjusting evening times on the #5 Tri-City Regional. “MCT is always looking for ways to meet the transportation needs of our residents and do so in an efficient manner,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “These are minor adjustments to the service, but they make a difference to the passengers. MCT ridership has steadily increased across all bus routes in the last year, and we continue to seek feedback from the passengers and from the public on how to make the service as user friendly as possible.”

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SEE VIDEO: ALTON - Alton Athletic Association coordinated an event to remember Saturday with the first annual Redbird Amazing Race. The event began and ended at Piasa Motor Fuels Field. Madeline Eades, president of the Alton Athletic Association, said the event was great fun for the youth. “We thought it would be good for some of our businesses to meet our athletes and students and we wanted to create a fun event for the kids,” Eades said. “We wanted to engage the athletes and students in a fun activity. I think they had a great time and we appreciate the businesses stepping up. We plan to expand the event next year and make it even better.” Teams of Alton athletes visited 10 locations around town and completed a task at each one. Everything started and ended at Piasa Motor Fuels Field, the soccer/baseball complex behind Alton High School. Amy Lombardi, of the Alton Athletic Association, described the event as less of a race ad more of a scavenger hunt.

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ALTON - Illinois American Water on Monday provided another update on the work to separate the Alton combined sewer system and install new sanitary sewers. Below is information about road closures: August 1, 2022, Piasa Valley Area: 9th Street is still closed from Alton Street east to George Street. U.S. Route 67 (Piasa Street) will be opening late afternoon/early evening on August 1. Traffic signals at 20th Street/College Avenue will still be on flashing red. This should be treated as a 4-way stop. Road Closures 9th Street will remain closed to all traffic east of U.S. 67 (Piasa Street) to Market Street. This closure will remain in place for several weeks. Project Background Work kicked off on these Alton projects in February 2021 and will continue to progress until 2023. Work includes over six miles of sanitary sewer main being installed in the Turner Tract, Shields Valley, and Piasa Valley areas of Alton. When Illinois American Water acquired the Alton Regional Wastewater

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ALTON - Pride, Inc., has encouraged residents to mark their calendars and sign up for the Annual Fall Cleanup In Alton on Saturday, September 10, 2022. "It’s hard to believe how the summer is flying by, and that our Fall Clean-Up date is quickly approaching," Pride, Inc., Executive Director Pat Stewart said. "It was exciting to see the participation we received for the spring efforts, and hope that you will be just as eager to come out and join us in September. "Once again, we are asking for the support of community organizations, business associates, local youth groups, and all concerned and willing residents. We’re hoping for your participation by putting together a team to help man a zone in this beautification effort. Beautifying our neighborhoods not only boosts commerce but helps to instill a sense of civic pride among our residents that will last for generations. More information will follow as we move forward in the planning stages." "I will be reaching back out

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ST. LOUIS — United Way of Greater St. Louis has launched a Flood Relief Fund to support residents across the bi-state region who were impacted by the recent flash flooding. The Regional Business Council made a $100,000 contribution to the fund to support the immediate and long-term recovery efforts as well as local agencies that are equipped and trained to respond in times of disaster. “This fund will provide necessary resources to engage and equip disaster-experienced nonprofits in partnership with local volunteers and government agencies working to assist and restore flood victims as quickly as possible,” said Michelle Tucker, president and CEO of United Way of Greater St. Louis. “Collaborations and partnerships remain imperative in the deployment of our proven disaster relief approaches. Thank you to the local businesses, donors and volunteers who have stepped up to help many of our neighbors in need during this time.” One hundred percent of the

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced a settlement with the United States Postal Service that implements robust measures to end the unlawful practice of foreign shippers mailing cigarettes into the United States. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by Raoul’s office, as well as the city of New York and three state attorneys general alleging the Postal Service transported cigarettes in violation of a 2010 federal law. “Cigarette usage causes significant health concerns and kills hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. We must use every legal tool at our disposal to protect our residents from addiction to cigarettes, which includes ensuring the Postal Service follows federal law preventing sellers from using the mail system to ship cigarettes,” Raoul said. “I will continue to collaborate across jurisdictions and state lines on actions that help reduce usage of and addiction to cigarettes.” Enacted by Congress in 2010,

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 Superintendent Stephanie M. Cann announced dates and times for Meet the Teacher Nights for the upcoming 2022-23 school year. Prather Kindergarten and PreK Parents will be notified through a letter in the mail informing them of their orientation time, teacher assignment, and Kindergarten bus number. Maryville and Wilson - 1st & 2nd Grade Date: Tuesday, August 16 Time: 5-6 p.m. Frohardt and Mitchell - 3rd & 4th Grade Date: Tuesday, August 16 Time: 6-7 p.m. Grigsby Intermediate School - 5th & 6th Grade Date: Monday, August 15 Time: 5-6 p.m. (6th); 6-7 p.m. (5th) Coolidge Junior High - 7th & 8th Grade Date: Monday, August 15 Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m. (7th); 6:30-7:30 p.m. (8th) Granite City High School - 9th, 10th, 11th & 12th Grade Freshman/New Student Orientation Date: Monday, August 15 Time: 6:30-9 p.m. Lake Educational Support Services Center (ESSC) Date: Tuesday,

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ST. LOUIS - The Federal Emergency Management Agency has now entered the flood recovery situation around the St. Louis area with other agencies to meet with flood victims in St. Louis City and County and St. Charles County, Mo., residents. Community outreach and support to flood victims by City of St. Louis agencies and partners continue to expand in response to this past week’s storms that caused two flash flooding events throughout the city. Earlier this afternoon, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones joined staff members of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis at the 1408 N. Kingshighway resource center, which is assisting residents by accepting donations Monday through Friday and coordinating efforts to three mobile command centers throughout the city. Those mobile command centers are in the Ellendale neighborhood (2732 McCausland Court), Kingsway West (Intersection of Ashland and Norwood Avenue), and a new location in Walnut Park West at 6085 W. Florissant Avenue. “City

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BELLEVILLE – This summer kicked off the 28th Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois House Raffle, offering participants a chance to win 46 cash prizes with the the grand prize of a Fulford Homes “Whitney Farmhouse” style home valued at $305,644 or $250,000 in cash. The $100 raffle certificate purchase not only provides the chance to win a new home or any of the other 46 cash prizes, but it also gives participants the opportunity to directly support one-to-one mentoring of youth in the community. President & CEO, Heather Freed stated, “We are on a mission to ensure that every child in our community graduates from high school with a plan for their future and a mentor whose impact lasts a lifetime. Now more than ever our kids need the support of positive adults to defend their potential.” This year’s grand prize is a beautiful 1,518 square-foot farmhouse with a superbly appointed exterior finish. The three bedroom, two full bath home

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ALTON – OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton is continuing its commitment to high-quality urology care through the addition of Uwais Zaid, MD. “OSF Saint Anthony’s has a phenomenal group of providers,” said Dr. Zaid. “I am very excited to join the team and am looking forward to providing compassionate care alongside the team’s other well-trained doctors. The Riverbend is a wonderful area to practice in and be able to call home.” Dr. Zaid is from Fresno, California, attended medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles and completed his residency at University of California, San Francisco. He completed his fellowship at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. “I am extremely passionate about reconstructive urology and helping people get their bodies back to normal after experiencing any urologic surgery or treatment,” said Dr. Zaid. “I feel very strongly about helping patients achieve

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PAWNEE, IL - Today, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) granted a construction permit to the Texas-based company EmberClear to build the Lincoln Land Energy Center—a massive, polluting gas plant—next to people’s homes and a school in Pawnee, Illinois. The permit granted by the IEPA does not do enough to protect local residents or the environment from the dangers of methane gas, nor does it provide tangible, timely relief to Illinoisans struggling as a result of surging energy prices. While states like New York have denied permits that erode state climate commitments, the IEPA has instead granted a permit with inadequate emissions standards for the construction of the Lincoln Land Energy Center. The gas plant will run on methane, a greenhouse gas that traps over 70 times more heat than carbon dioxide, and the permit allows the plant to emit up to 3.5 million tons of dangerous carbon emissions annually. In addition, Sierra Club estimates that “upstream”

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BUNKER HILL - The IL Bunker Hill Area Chamber of Commerce, under the leadership of newly elected President Lisa Webb, produced a Director’s Letter for potential new residents, potential residents, and the surrounding communities to read and understand what living in Bunker Hill and within the ZIP code of 62014 is like. It reads: "Area community service groups actively donate time and money to many good causes as they deliver Meals on Wheels, provide free assistive devices, beautify the town, provide community activities, provide grants to BHHS graduates, and beautify two parks; one of which sports a large pond and a recent donation of grills. Thanks to local businesses and volunteers, every year there are giant fireworks displays. If you attend the annual Fall Festival, you will enjoy music, a variety of foods, vendors, activities for the young, a huge car show with a burnout contest, and as a bonus, one of the two fireworks displays. Beginning in 2021, the festival hosted

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BETHALTO – Annual music festival, Amare’s Rockin’ for Recovery Presented by Bickle Electric Contracting Co. will help raise awareness and celebrate individuals and families recovering from and impacted by substance use. Riverbend area non-profit, Amare, has scheduled the event for Saturday, September 17 th from 4-10 pm at the Bethalto Central Park fair grounds. The event is in honor of National Recovery Month, which is held every year in September to educate the public about treatment services, recovery, and resources to help those in or seeking recovery from a substance use disorder or co-occurring disorder. Amare, a nonprofit based out of Wood River, Illinois serves the Illinois riverbend and metro-east area, working to help those recovering from substance use dependency work toward sustainability through recovery support services like recovery coaching, family recovery coaching, treatment and detox navigation with a warm handoff, and more. The event is free

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GRANITE CITY – Granite City Community Unit School District #9 is hosting a Back to School Celebration on Wednesday, August 3 from 3-6 p.m. at Worthen Park in Granite City. Students will have the opportunity to meet their principal, in addition to free school supplies, free refreshments, touch-a-truck, games, prizes, a photo booth, school registration, and more. The first day of school for the 2022-23 school year is set for Wednesday, August 17. For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net .

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